ICUFN 2026

The 17th International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks

Conference Overview

Brief Overview

The 17th International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (ICUFN 2026) is one of the leading international scientific conferences dedicated to next-generation networks, advanced telecommunications, and artificial intelligence applied to distributed digital systems. Organized by the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences (KICS), South Korea, and hosted by the Politecnico di Milano from July 7 to 10, 2026, the conference brings together researchers, universities, industry professionals, and public institutions engaged in shaping the future of digital infrastructures.

The 2026 edition takes place at a time of rapid technological transformation, driven by the evolution of B5G and 6G networks, the expansion of the Internet of Things, the advancement of Edge Intelligence, and the increasing integration of artificial intelligence into communication networks. In this context, ICUFN serves as a premier international forum fostering collaboration between academia and industry while promoting interdisciplinary research across telecommunications, networking, cybersecurity, and cyber-physical systems.

The conference addresses cutting-edge topics ranging from next-generation mobile networks and distributed architectures to cloud and fog computing, smart cities, digital twins, mission-critical systems, and AI-enabled intelligent infrastructures. Particular emphasis is placed on network security, the resilience of critical infrastructures, and the development of technologies capable of ensuring operational continuity in increasingly complex and interconnected environments.

One of ICUFN’s distinguishing features is its ability to bridge fundamental research and real-world applications through an extensive program of international keynote speeches, specialized tutorials, workshops, and technical sessions focused on the most pressing challenges of digital innovation. Accepted papers are published in the official conference proceedings and indexed in the **IEEE Xplore Digital Library**, ensuring broad international visibility and dissemination of the presented research.

Research Area

The International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (ICUFN) addresses the major scientific challenges associated with the evolution of digital infrastructures and intelligent networks. The conference program features contributions on B5G and 6G communications, the Internet of Things, cyber-physical systems, Edge Intelligence, artificial intelligence applications in telecommunications, and emerging approaches to distributed network management. Significant attention is also devoted to cybersecurity, mission-critical infrastructures, digital twins, smart cities, and autonomous systems, highlighting the role of ubiquitous networks as a key enabler of digital transformation. Particularly noteworthy is the "Security, Military and Defense" track, which focuses on advanced technologies for the protection of critical infrastructures, military mobility, the resilience of strategic networks, and secure communications. Topics include cyber resilience, post-quantum cryptography, mission-critical communications, AI for security, and the protection of dual-use systems, contributing to the development of next-generation digital architectures for European security.

Organizers

The conference was organized by the Korean Institute of Communications and Information Sciences (KICS), a leading South Korean scientific society dedicated to research in telecommunications and information technologies, in collaboration with the Politecnico di Milano and with the support of the international scientific committee of ICUFN.

DATE

July 7–10, 2026

LOCATION

Aula Magna Carassa e Dadda, Building BL28, Politecnico di Milano – Bovisa Campus, Milan, Italy

Conference Paper

Secure and Resilient Cyber-Physical Supply Networks for Critical Infrastructure: A Design Framework for Military Mobility and Mission-Critical Operations The study proposes a design framework for secure and resilient cyber-physical supply networks supporting critical infrastructures and military mobility scenarios. The objective is to integrate supply chain engineering, cyber-physical systems, communication networks, and decision-making mechanisms into a unified multi-layer architecture capable of ensuring operational continuity even in the presence of hybrid threats, simultaneous disruptions, and distributed vulnerabilities. The framework introduces the concept of Resident Value Chains (RVCs), geographically bounded and strategically controlled configurations that reduce dependence on external suppliers, limit disruption propagation, and strengthen the resilience of dual-use infrastructures. The proposed architecture integrates real-time monitoring, network-aware coordination, predictive disruption management, and decision-support mechanisms to enhance the reliability, availability, and security of logistics corridors serving both commercial freight and mission-critical operations. The application of the framework to a railway case study demonstrates the contribution of Resident Value Chains in mitigating systemic vulnerabilities, protecting strategic infrastructures, and reinforcing European military mobility.

Results Achieved Through Participation

Participation in ICUFN 2026 provided the opportunity to present a scientific contribution on the design of secure and resilient cyber-physical supply networks for critical infrastructures, with particular emphasis on dual-use railway systems and European military mobility. The conference offered a valuable platform for engaging with the international research community working on next-generation networks, cybersecurity, and mission-critical systems, fostering new opportunities for scientific collaboration in the fields of infrastructure resilience, artificial intelligence, cyber-physical systems, and future communication networks.

Bibliographic Citation

Maciariello, F., Lorenzi, E., Benelli, F., Salvadori, C., & Bocci, V. E. (2026). Secure and resilient cyber-physical supply networks for critical infrastructure: A design framework for military mobility and mission-critical operations. In Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Ubiquitous and Future Networks (ICUFN 2026), Session 4 – Security, Military, and Defense 2, Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. IEEE.